December 17, 2008 — McObject announced the release of eXtremeDB 4.0 beta, a major upgrade to its in-memory and on-disk embedded database system for real-time applications. New features in eXtremeDB 4.0 include a fast, new native application programming interface (API) that enhances developer productivity; higher database performance via improved multi-user coordination; and support for the KD-Tree, a database index that is vital to many spatial and pattern-matching applications.

eXtremeDB version 4.0 adds multi-version concurrency control (MVCC), which can dramatically improve scalability and performance in real-time applications by enabling separate tasks or processes to access and update the database simultaneously. It accomplishes this by giving each task that updates the database a “snapshot” or copy of objects, and prioritizing tasks’ changes to the database via timestamps placed on each of the copies. This capability makes eXtremeDB the most scalable real-time database solution, and particularly compelling for telecommunications, networking, securities trading and other high volume applications.

eXtremeDB 4.0’s new k-dimensional or KD-Tree index adds a structure for storing and manipulating point objects in a k-dimensional space by partitioning that space. Practical uses include computer graphics, geographical information systems and biometric applications such as fingerprint matching. KD-Trees are also used to create software in which query predicates contain various combinations of object fields—for example, to construct Query-By-Example (QBE) features in which the user selects fields and values, and the application builds database queries based on these selections.

For developers working with eXtremeDB 4.0, the KD-Tree expands programming efficiency, reducing embedded software’s time-to-market. It also can lead to more efficient code, enabling applications to do more with embedded systems’ typically tight CPU and RAM resources.

eXtremeDB 4.0 also introduces a Uniform Data Access (UDA) programming interface, which builds on one of the product’s greatest strengths: unmatched flexibility provided by multiple database APIs. In past versions, developers using eXtremeDB could choose industry standard SQL and ODBC interface functions, as well as a faster, project-specific native API that is generated dynamically when an eXtremeDB database schema is compiled. Because this native interface is specific to a given data design, it is type-safe as well as intuitive, with function names that are self-documenting.

With the new UDA API, eXtremeDB 4.0 provides a different kind of native interface: a static library of database functions that remains the same across all projects. Like the existing project-specific API, this new interface is both native—it works directly with C/C++, the host language—and navigational, in that it proceeds through the database one record in the database at a time. These qualities make eXtremeDB’s two native APIs faster and more deterministic than SQL, and well-suited for real-time applications.

“The new features in eXtremeDB 4.0 perfectly illustrate the many ways in which McObject strives to help developers meet the toughest application demands. New features such as KD-Trees improve eXtremeDB’s ability to model real-world data structures; others, like the UDA API, support certain users’ preferred coding style—in this case, with a one-size-fits-all programming interface,” Steve Graves, McObject CEO and co-founder, said.

“Yet another kind of enhancement, seen in multi-version concurrency control, fundamentally improves an internal database mechanism. No changes are needed to application code: MVCC works its magic behind the scenes, to enhance database performance in any multi-user application,” he said.

eXtremeDB 4.0 beta software is available immediately. Developers can sign up to obtain it at
www.mcobject.com/beta. General release is scheduled for first quarter, 2009.

About McObject

Founded by embedded database and real-time systems experts, McObject offers proven data management technology that makes real-time systems smarter, more reliable and more cost-effective to develop and maintain. McObject counts among its customers industry leaders such as Chrysler, Lockheed Martin, Siemens, Phillips, EADS, JVC, Tyco Thermal Controls, F5 Networks, DIRECTV, CA, Motorola and Boeing. McObject, based in Issaquah, WA, is committed to providing innovative technology and first-rate services to customers and partners. The company can be reached at +1-425-888-8505, or visit
www.mcobject.com.